Sep 11, 2008

I would love for this to be a great title, but I'm tired and my roots are showing.

Do you know what time it is while I'm writing this post?

2:12 AM.

Is it because I'm dedicated? No. It's because I'm up, people. I'm up.

And I've left a crying baby in the room with his daddy, where daddy will continue to sleep right on through, even if the baby cries until noon on Sunday, at which point daddy will get up, watch the Titans game and exclaim, "Oh heavens, I forgot we had a baby, well he's being awfully good, now isn't he?"

Okay, so I'm being a little cynical. Actually the Attorney General is helping out a lot. He makes bottles, changes diapers, and even takes the early morning feeding session because I can make sense of getting up at 1AM or even 3AM, but 6AM? Something in my body just won't allow that.

Thank you all so much for commenting on my last post. I read each and every one of them. I cried at several, laughed at many and was thankful for all.

So here are eight things that I've learned oh these eight glorious days.

1. When Remi says she would like to take Rocco back and get a baby turtle - she ain't kiddin'. Well, it doesn't have to be a baby turtle, mind you. Anything will do, really. A fish. A new box of colors. Some dominoes. Stickers. Mommy's blush brush. And last night she told me, "Mommy, no Rocco. Just chicken."

2. To the makers of baby clothes, whoever you are. Yesterday I clothed my son in yellow and light green. My husband checked his pulse to make sure he wasn't going to go into cardiac arrest. Did you enjoy seeing your future Hall of Famer dressed like this? Cuz I know one Attorney General who does not. In fact, he actually handed me the checkbook, shoved me out the door and told me to "go to Target and don't come home until you have some primary colors in your hand."

3. Do I want him to be a "pacci" baby? Yes. No. Yes. No. Yes. No. Yes. No.

4. You do know that I'm the mother of a 2 year old, right? So I've done all of this before. Explain then why I have forgotten every bit of it? I mean, the other night before we went to bed I actually said to my husband, "Now, tell me what to do again if he cries?" What is wrong with me? He looked at me like I was nuts, then said, "You got me."

5. You KNOW that you have been walking through Wal-Mart, seen a couple carrying around a baby that looked all of 14 hours old, dropped your jaw, rolled your eyes and whispered to your shopping buddy, "Can you believe someone would carry their baby out when they are that little? That's ridiculous." So don't ask me where the baby is when you see me. He's 8 days old and I don't want anyone claiming they saw me in Wal-Mart at 2AM with my baby. I mean, let's have some class here, people. I'll bring him out soon enough and when I do - you'll know it. I'll be the one in Wal-Mart yelling, "Heeeyyyy girl!! Come here and get aload a' my baby!"

6. If you can answer this age old question - Why do they stay asleep when you try to feed them only to wake up the minute you put them down? - I will pay you 18 million dollars.

7. When daddy comes home from work and momma has made chocolate chip cookies for dinner...let it go.

8. When you are driving home from Wednesday night church and your 2 year old says, "Mommy, I only miss daddy and baby Wocco" and you can truly say, "Me too, baby," then you know - LIFE IS GOOD.

36 comments:

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

#6. I will not be $18 mil richer any time soon, because I.do.not.know.
#8. Soooo sweet!

Givinya De Elba said...

Oh Melissa, I've been living under a rock recently, then I read this post and thought, "WHAT?!?" and read your last one and again thought "WHAT?!?", THEN I went further back to work out why you'd been posting about poo-pourri etcetera and I still can't work out why you did or how you kept the secret, then I went FURTHER back and found at the end of your "I'm going to Texas" post you said "Good times are ahead" or something - aaah, the only clue that some really good times were ahead! Wow. Thanks for sharing your story. I've been reading ever since you most recently saw the two lines on the pregnancy test and I've travelled the emotions with you. Love to you all. Rocco is gorgeous, and I love the pictures of Remi with him.

Heather said...

I fully expected you to be on break from blogland for longer than three days. Hard to find something interesting to do when you're up at 1am (or 3am, or 6am), huh? I feel your pain, although I am up with fussy patients, not a hungry (and adorable) baby. I am, however, getting paid, which makes it a bit easier to take :)

Allegro ma non troppo said...

You're completely entitled to forget everything from your first baby, because your second one WON'T act the SAME!

It's the first time you've had THIS baby. Best wishes getting through the next few amazing weeks.

Big Nanny said...

The keeper of the nursery would like you to "just say yes" to the pacie.

It hurts my eyes to see baby boys under the age of 6 months dressed in primary colors. He has the rest of his life to wear grown up colors. That's why they call it "baby blue" because it's only for babies.

I could probably hook Remi up with a turtle. What size would you like?

T said...

It's amazing how quick you forget all of it isn't it! Oh the days of hubby walking through the door asking, "what's for dinner?" for my relply to only be, "see that box of cereal?" Oh...wait that was last night...nevermind...my baby is two guess I can't use that excuse! Lol....I am so excited for you guys...sleepless nights and all!

Sue said...

Cozy warm arms are always more comfy than a bed. Always.

Amy said...

I forgot everything in between my 3.. No worries. My youngest is 2 and last night at church I was holding a baby and was totally freaked out when he started to cry..see! 2..it hasnt been THAT long! The paci is wonderful..and my son is totally addicted. If you can get by without it, I would. Then again, if he needs it he will suck his thumb which can NOT be taken away...so..just watch him and see if he needs the comfort. There aint nothin' wrong with it. Check out this blog. http://ourjourneytoparenthood.blogspot.com
This family has adopted one son and has 8 weeks til' they get their next baby..in a post within the last 2 weeks there is a website that sells the MOST awesome blankets..and IF you buy one, she gets some kinda credit towards her adoption. So..if you need a very soft, adorable blanket for winter check it out! They are very cute. Plus her journey is amazing..just like yours. Let's see...Gap, Childrens Place--OOh the brand Wes and Willy/City College are adorable for boys. It is not the same as girls that is for sure but there are some cute clothes out there. I dont mind the light blue so much but I loved to dress my boys in navy/denim/khaki..all that. Gap is the best! What else...get some rest. Call a friend to watch the kids. You dont want to get too drained..then your good for nothin'!

StitchinByTheLake said...

Your children are beautiful and so are you, roots and all. I love you and I love your blog. I've been reading for quite some time and have laughed and cried and laughed some more. I can see God in your heart and in your words. We each have a ministry that God gives us - I believe yours, right now, is in raising these babies and in writing this blog. As for being up in the middle of the night just think - when you get to be my age you'll be back in that same cycle except then it will be because you have to get up to go to the bathroom. Trust me on this, I'd rather be getting up for a baby! blessings, marlene

Unknown said...

Well, I might be in the minority here, but I'm ALL for the paci. It keeps mama sane! And yeah, all six of mine were pacifier babies...some even until they were three! Yes, I know I'll receive hate mail, and if I could do it again, I'd do that one exactly the same way. Yes, I used to have young moms tsk-tsking me when they'd see it, or old blue-haired ladies say, "Don't you think he's/she's too old for that?", Um, no...it's mama's LifeSaver!! I'd rather them do the paci than the thumb, which you can't take away! Oh, and if they want to sleep with you, so be it. If the paci and sleepin' with mama & daddy are all that it takes to keep them comfortable in this great big 'ol scary world, where they'll be expected to grow up too quickly anyway, I say go for it!! And yes, my six-year old still sleeps with me frequently, as did my older kids at various points, and they're all fairly normal....

Rhea said...

I had my two boys FIVE YEARS APART, and it was like learning all over again. Seriously. I was like diaper what? How do you hold them again? Nursing? oh, yeah, OUCH!!

Unknown said...

There will be time to dress him in primary colours!! Tell the AG to hold his horses :-) Plus, aren't PC baby clothes fairly hard to find? I din't come across too many, on a recent shopping trip to buy some clothes for my newest grandbaby.

Keep on enjoying that little bundle of baby loves ... I am soooo happy for you!!

Lauren W said...

You're doing wonderfully :)
I'm still so so happy for you!
Now go cuddle with your kidS!

Laura Marchant said...

OH MY GOSH! Congratulations! I am late checking and I am so excited for you. This is awesome.
http://mommyfromthemidwest.blogspot.com/2008/02/lesson-5-if-you-hear-tootie-quick-cover.html
That was my post about advice on having a baby boy this last spring when I had my son. Seriously, doubling up is the only thing that worked for us :-)

He is so cute, congrats again!

Trish said...

I'm not sure if this is the answer to that $$$$ question, but if it's close I'll accept only a million ;)

When you do the routine of a baby, it's actually a good thing to have them on a cycle of eat, awake, and then sleep. It puts them into a routine of not nursing to sleep, but being able to put them down for a nap and they actually go down by themselves. Now, I'm sure this doesn't work for every baby, but it did for mine. They were sleeping through the night in like a matter of a few weeks!!!

Hope it works for Rocco!

katylinvw said...

amen. how fabulous! :) still so excited!

Rhonda said...

Well, he could be a soother baby, or a thumb baby. I have had two thumb babies and one soother baby.
GO FOR THE SOOTHER!

I tried to tell my husband your story. I brought him to the computer and told him about Elisha. And sweet Remi. I told him of your trials with pregnancies. I told him the most recent, and about the foxhole. Then I scrolled to the pictures of Rocco. And I lost it. I just had to point and babble. And he just looked at me.

And he made the "L" loser sign on his forehead. Just for me. Jerk.

Lynda said...

I am SO loving this adventure - thank you for sharing it.

Anonymous said...

Still in awe of your story. I am so excited to hear about your new adventures as a family of 4!! Wish I could answer #6 for you. :)

Frizzy said...

I was told, "You won't remember anything from your first child even though your life will be about nothing but them. You'll eat, sleep and drink in everything baby. Then, one day you'll look up and walk out the door and BOOM you realize you're ready to join the world again outside of your child and home." Hang in there, I'm told it only gets better from here on out. I'm a new mom so I am still bungling my way through.

Ronnica said...

At least you're sane enough to post a blog. Hang in there! What a joy!

Anonymous said...

Hold on for weeks 7-8. That's when the light at the end of the tunnel is visible. Life has begun to get into a routine and you feel the most sane (not completely sane, just the most sane). You've gotten a little more sleep by then. Rocco will have the look of recognition in his eyes when he sees you, which is the best. SO! Only 6-7 more weeks to go- Hooray!

My mom has said about the paci "Well, it's not like he's gonna take it to college with him." So, there you go :)

bushfamily said...

Hi, I'll admit that I've been a phantom reader of your blog for a while now. I can't stay quiet anymore!!! I am so excited for you and your family. After 4 years of infertility treatments and appointments, my son is now 21 months and #2 is on the way. I must say that little boys are such a blessing. Nothing is more fun than a VERY dirty boy who wants nothing more than "woormmmies, pweese." As far as why babies wake up when you lay them down, I always said to my friends (who told me just to let him cry) that he was mearly feeding off my desire to hold him!!! My best answer is, just don't put him down, all too soon he won't want to be held anymore! Once again, congratulations and PRAISE GOD! for all the blessings in our lives!

Amy said...

I vote "yes" on the paci...you would rather have a paci baby than a thumb sucker...Can't get rid of the thumb, and when you decide to get rid of the paci, you choose when you want to have three bad days in a row. In my experience it takes 3 days to make a habit and 3 days to break one...works everytime! Almost to the hour!

Also, don't worry about that forgeting everything you knew...he doesn't know you can't remember or if your doing it the right way...In his eyes, your way IS the right way!

They are both so precious...Enjoy every moment, as you know they Fly by!

Amy Jo

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh! what a beautiful baby boy to match that sister. They are just too cute together. Dont worry cause that mommie stuff will kick right back in. You crack me up girl cause you are just so real and say what Im always too chicken to write about... keep it up! I need your humor to get through this life Im livin'....hehe!

Wep said...

Awww...hang in there!

Ashley said...

I'm sure it will all come right back to ya! But this really is a sweet post.

Anonymous said...

Ok, Girl, get your checkbook out - or AG's anyway...
#6!!! (Key the Fanfare!!)
My pediatrician, with 3 babies of his own, told me - not suggested, but told me - Starting at 6, or 7 am, feed the baby AT LEAST every 3 hours (more like 2 when they are brand new). If they want to eat sooner, fine, but don't let them go longer than 3 hours. If they won't wake up to eat at the 3 hour interval - do something to wake them - Get them naked, even get a wet rag to put on them or something! Not being mean.. but...

Anyway, you don't have to do this very many times, as they do really fall into schedule easily. After about 9pm, do not wake them to eat. Let them wake if they are hungry, which of course they do for a while, but the sleeping spans will grow quickly.

I promise, this works - and I NEVER, EVER believed in putting a baby on a schedule.

I'll let you know where to send the check!!

Anita J. said...

Amen @Crazy Sister Sue. My middle baby was NOTHING like the first one. The first one loved to be rocked. The second one loved to be rocked in my arms in the middle of the night and I HAD TO BE standing at the foot of the bed or it didn't count. Why? How did she know where I was standing? I don't know, but I remember many a night of me standing at the foot of the bed crying, "PLEEEASE baby, PLEASE let me sit down just for a minute!"

I'm feeling your sleep deprived, toothpick propped eyelid pain.

God bless you Melissa.

Anita J. said...

Anita wants to make it clear that if that last comment works*, Theda is her real life cousin, her YOUNGER cousin, whom she taught everything she knows. Without Anita, Theda would not have been here to win the 18 mil.

*If it doesn't work let me know, and I'll pop her in the lip for making you wake the baby so often for nothing. (Theda, this paragraph is a figment of your imagination.)

annakate elizabeth davis said...

for goodness sakes, yes to the pacie!! or as kate called it a "pie"
it can be a real lifesaver especially traveling in the car to come back to Texas!!!!

love you girl... now you know why we want to adopt a two year old!!!
lol!!

The Rivers Family said...

You will soon learn that boy clothes are not even half as cute as girl. You have a minimal selection: solid, striped, plaid or checks all in a variety of colors. So I would say go with whatever you can find that is cute cause when you find it it will be worth it!
Love the pacie - I think we get more attached to it than they do!

Kelly said...

Welcome back to the new Momma trenches...it will all come back! Congrats again!

Petts Allowed said...

#3- YES, YES, YES!!!

#6-- Here are my opinions 1)They are really there for the comfort and warmth of YOU, not the food!! 2)They miss you in the middle of the night especially. And, 3)They don't want to miss any fun--and you can't have any (fun) while holding them!That's why he wakes up when you try to lay him down. I'll take my reward on Tues. (small bills please!)Kathi

-Bridget said...

I'm still in shock. I can't believe just a short time ago I was reading about your tragic loss and now I'm reading about you being kept up all night with a newborn. Stories just don't happen like that. Except your amazing story. Enjoy every minute of being peed on, pooped on, puked on, and being kept up all night. How amazing God is.

Unknown said...

I am so very excited for you!
I can't get over how cute he is...those long little fingers...and his little nose. oh!

6. Because your touch is nourishment for their little souls as well! They came in for the snuggle as well as the bottle...or maybe more of the snuggle, the bottle was just a bonus.

You can keep the 18 million...'cause I know you knew that already...you just forget at 2 AM!